PC 5 Pentamethyldiethylenetriamine

Product Overview

PC 5 (CAS No. 3030-47-5) functions as a specialized tertiary amine catalyst engineered for polyurethane (PU) rigid foam production, where its primary role is to accelerate gelation reactions—a critical step in forming the structural backbone of foam materials. With a molecular formula of C₉H₂₃N₃ and a molecular weight of 169.3 g/mol, this compound exists as a low-viscosity liquid (viscosity ≤ 5 mPa·s) characterized by a unique molecular structure: it combines reactive dimethylamino groups to drive catalytic activity with hydrophobic ethyl chains that enhance solubility in PU formulations. This structural design ensures uniform dispersion in polyol-isocyanate mixtures, a key factor in consistent foam quality. Its thermal stability (boiling point ≥ 200°C) and low volatility make it particularly suitable for high-temperature processing environments, such as those used in manufacturing spray foam insulation for construction and composite panels for industrial applications .

Features

Rapid Gelation Catalysis

PC 5 exhibits high specificity in promoting the reaction between isocyanates and polyols, a core chemical process in PU foam formation. By reducing the activation energy required for polymer chain cross-linking, it shortens gelation time by 20-30% compared to traditional amine catalysts like triethylenediamine. This acceleration is invaluable for high-throughput manufacturing lines in construction and automotive industries, where minimizing production cycle times directly impacts operational efficiency. In rigid foam production, faster gelation also reduces the risk of foam sagging during curing, especially in vertical applications like wall insulation .

Balanced Reactivity

While primarily recognized as a gelation catalyst, PC 5 possesses moderate blowing activity—the ability to facilitate gas generation from isocyanate-water reactions. This dual functionality allows it to optimize cell structure uniformity in rigid foams, ensuring consistent cell size distribution (typically 50-200 μm) across the material matrix. This balance minimizes common defects such as closed-cell collapse (from excessive blowing) and surface cracking (from premature gelation), ultimately improving thermal conductivity (λ-value ≤ 0.022 W/m·K)—a critical performance metric for insulation applications .

Environmental Compliance

PC 5 meets stringent regulatory standards, including full compliance with REACH (Annex XVII restrictions) and RoHS directives, ensuring it contains no heavy metals (such as lead, cadmium, or mercury) or chlorinated solvents. Its low VOC emissions (≤10 ppm as measured by EPA Method 24) satisfy UL GREENGUARD Gold certification requirements for indoor air quality, making it a preferred choice for residential insulation and automotive interiors where occupant exposure to volatile compounds must be minimized .

Multi-System Compatibility

A key advantage of PC 5 is its effectiveness across diverse PU formulations, including both MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) and TDI (toluene diisocyanate)-based systems. It integrates seamlessly with common PU additives such as flame retardants (e.g., halogenated or phosphorus-based), surfactants for cell stabilization, and fillers like glass fibers. This compatibility allows manufacturers to adjust formulations based on raw material availability or performance requirements without sacrificing catalyst efficacy .

Applications

Rigid Polyurethane Foam

Insulation Panels: In PIR (polyisocyanurate) sandwich panels used for building envelopes, PC 5 enhances adhesion strength (≥1.5 MPa) between the foam core and metal/concrete facings. This improvement increases structural load-bearing capacity by 25%, making panels suitable for both wall and roofing applications in commercial construction .

Spray Foam Insulation: For on-site insulation of attics, crawl spaces, and industrial equipment, PC 5 reduces cream time (the interval between mixing and foam initiation) by 15-20%. This enables high-coverage spraying (up to 10 m² per minute) on irregular surfaces while maintaining foam integrity .

Composite Materials

Wind Turbine Blades: PC 5 accelerates resin curing in epoxy-polyurethane hybrid matrices, a key component in wind turbine blade manufacturing. It reduces production cycle times by 30% while maintaining tensile strength ≥ 300 MPa, critical for withstanding aerodynamic stresses .

Automotive Interior Parts: Its low odor profile (≤1 odor unit as per ASTM E679) makes it ideal for interior components like door panels and console inserts, where indoor air quality regulations (such as China’s GB/T 27630) are strictly enforced .

Industrial Coatings

Protective Coatings: In two-component PU coatings for metal structures, PC 5 promotes cross-linking to achieve pencil hardness ≥ 3H within 4 hours of application. This rapid curing reduces downtime in industrial maintenance, particularly for pipelines and storage tanks exposed to corrosive environments .

Storage

Container Requirements: PC 5 should be stored in stainless steel (316 grade) or HDPE drums to prevent chemical interaction and corrosion, which could contaminate the catalyst.

Environmental Conditions: Optimal storage temperatures range from 5-30°C with humidity ≤60%. Exposure to direct sunlight should be avoided, as UV radiation can cause gradual degradation of the amine groups.

Handling Precautions: Contact with water may cause hydrolysis, while exposure to acidic substances (pH < 4) can neutralize the amine functionality, leading to catalyst deactivation. Unused material should be resealed promptly to prevent moisture absorption .

Technical Specifications